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A review by atlas_shruggs
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cannot believe I've only read this book once before now. Reading about Jack and Jill in the Moors just feels so familiar and weirdly comforting in it's own way.
First of all, the character creation is stellar. Though you know Jack and Jill from Every Heart a Doorway, you really could just jump into this story without reading that one, it's set up in a way where you really get to know and connect with the characters (even though Every Heart a Doorway definitely adds a lot of depth to the reading).
Seeing how Jack and Jill were raised really explains so much about them and adds to their characters. Not only do we get to see the origins of Jack's germophobia and how she became so observant, but we also see why Jill is so reckless and desperate for affection. Reading this really makes you sympathise with Jill, she really never had a chance. She was a vulnerable little kid and the Master took advantage of her, literally grooming her.
Secondly, the world building. Oh the world building. I swear I could smell the Moors while reading this. The descriptions of the world were so vague yet so rich and vivid and even though we see only a small part of it you really feel as if you know the Moors by the end of the story.
How McGuire manages to craft such an amazing story in so few words continues to fascinate me and this book continues to hold it's place as my favourite in the series.
First of all, the character creation is stellar. Though you know Jack and Jill from Every Heart a Doorway, you really could just jump into this story without reading that one, it's set up in a way where you really get to know and connect with the characters (even though Every Heart a Doorway definitely adds a lot of depth to the reading).
Seeing how Jack and Jill were raised really explains so much about them and adds to their characters. Not only do we get to see the origins of Jack's germophobia and how she became so observant, but we also see why Jill is so reckless and desperate for affection. Reading this really makes you sympathise with Jill, she really never had a chance. She was a vulnerable little kid and the Master took advantage of her, literally grooming her.
Secondly, the world building. Oh the world building. I swear I could smell the Moors while reading this. The descriptions of the world were so vague yet so rich and vivid and even though we see only a small part of it you really feel as if you know the Moors by the end of the story.
How McGuire manages to craft such an amazing story in so few words continues to fascinate me and this book continues to hold it's place as my favourite in the series.